Finding aid encoded in MSWord 2013-02-27Finding aid written in EnglishMarcus, Joseph S.Joseph S. Marcus Papers1948-1977FS 0812 boxes(3 linear foot)Special Collections and University Archives, University of Massachusetts Amherst LibrariesJoseph Sol Marcus arrived at UMass in 1948 as an Instructor in Civil Engineering and graduate student (MS 1954), and remained for the rest of his career. Born in 1921, and educated at Worcester Polytech (BS 1944), he joined the rapidly growing engineering program at UMass. Although a chemical engineer, he took responsibility for the fluid mechanics laboratory and taught in civil and mechanical engineering, and after gaining experience through courses from the Atomic Energy Commission and a year spent at Oak Ridge National Laboratories, he introduced nuclear engineering into the curriculum. As he rose through the academic ranks, Marcus became a key figure in university administration, serving as Associate Dean of Engineering, as preceptor for Emily Dickinson House on Orchard Hill, and Special Assistant to the Chancellor for long-range planning, while serving on committees for military affairs, Engineering hopnors, transfers and admissions, discipline, and Continuing Education. Marcus died of cancer on Nov. 1, 1985. Marcus Hall was named in his honor.The Marcus Papers document an extensive involvement in campus affairs at UMass Amherst, with an emphasis on the period 1965-1975. A small quantity of material relating to his profession activities and academic appointments is joined by well organized files relating to his participation in committees of Engineering honors, Military Affairs (1967-1968), the Orchard Hill residential college and Emily Dickinson House (1964-1969), ROTC and AFROTC curricula, transfers and admissions, the library, Upward Bound, Discipline (1964-1971), and Continuing Education (1970-1977).English

Joseph S. Marcus

Joseph Sol Marcus arrived at UMass in 1948 as an Instructor in Civil Engineering and graduate student (MS 1954), just as the University was beginning a large scale expansion and reorganization of its engineering programs. Born in Oct. 29, 1921, Marcus received his undergraduate education in chemical engineering at Worcester Polytechnic College (BS 1944) before serving a three year tour in the Navy at the tail end of the Second World War.

While studying for his masters degree in civil engineering, Marcus assumed responsibility for the fluid mechanics laboratory and taught courses in both civil and mechanical engineering, foreshadowing some of the versatility he would demonstrate throughout his career. Climbing up the academic ranks over the next fifteen years, Marcus took a series of courses offered by the Atomic Energy Commission and spent a year's leave in 1962 working as a Research Engineer at the Oak Ridge National Laboratories. With this preparation, and with his research turned toward nuclear engineering, Marcus introduced nuclear engineering into the UMass curriculum and he became the principle investigator on three major grants from the AEC and co-director of AEC-NECEP workshops on nuclear power.

Rising to become Assistant (later Associate) Dean of the School of Engineering in 1964, Marcus became an active presence in university administration, serving as preceptor for Emily Dickinson House on Orchard Hill, becoming a staunch proponent of residential college concept; Chair of the Faculty Senate; and Special Assistant to the Chancellor for long-range planning. He was also a key member of the committees for military affairs, engineering honors, transfers and admissions, discipline, and Continuing Education, among others. Always engaged with students and interested in raising the position of future engineers, he was deeply involved in educational initiatives in the Commonwealth, helping to direct two National Science Foundation Institutes for high school science teachers (1968, 1969) and serving on the accrediting boards of the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools (1969-1971).

In recognition of his commitment to students, Marcus was recognized with the Metawampe Award and Distinguished Teaching Award in the 1960s, and in 1984, he received the Chancellor's Medal for "exemplary and extraordinary service." Marcus died of cancer on Nov. 1, 1985, shortly after his retirement. Marcus Hall was named in his honor.

The Marcus Papers document extensive involvement in campus affairs at UMass Amherst, with an emphasis on the period 1965-1975. A small quantity of material relating to Marcus's profession activities and academic appointments is accompanied by well organized files relating to his participation in University committees, ranging from Engineering honors, ROTC and AFROTC curricula, Military Affairs (1967-1968), the Orchard Hill residential college and Emily Dickinson House (1964-1969), transfers and admissions, the library, Upward Bound, Discipline (1964-1971), and Continuing Education (1970-1977).